Solutions for energy independence.For the eleventh year, the American Solar Energy Society’s National Solar Tour opens the doors of thousands of homes and buildings in almost every state across the nation to provide the public with an opportunity to experience solar power, solar heating, cooling, and hot-water, wind power, daylighting and green building technologies.
For the first time, Maui residents are invited to tour homes and businesses right here that save money by using solar energy as part of the national tour that kicks off October as National Energy Awareness Month. On Saturday Oct. 7, Maui’s First Annual “House of the Sun Solar Tour,” sponsored by the Hawai‘i PV Coalition, opens properties to the public, providing an in-depth look at solar electricity and solar hot water. Maui’s participants will join the 45 states and approximately 90,000 attendees who are projected to participate in the national tour sponsored by the American Solar Energy Society, titled “Real Places for Real People—Real Solutions for Energy Independence.”
The Maui tour will also address global warming, and will educate the public on renewable energy, energy efficiency and steps every person can take to reduce carbon dioxide emissions while supporting a sustainable energy economy.
“The State of Hawai‘i is more dependent on imported fossil fuel than any other state in the nation,” said Brad Albert, co-owner of Rising Sun Solar Electric, a Pa‘ia-based company that helps businesses and homeowners save money on their electric bills by converting to solar electric. “The tour will highlight how Maui homeowners and businesses have incorporated solar into their buildings, saving money and helping Maui use less oil for power generation.” Rising Sun Solar Electric is a co-sponsor of Maui’s tour, along with ProVision Technologies, SMA, and UPC Wind.
During the tour, residential and commercial properties using solar electric power and solar hot water will be open to the public, allowing attendees to experience first hand these technologies. Property owners and representatives from the Hawai‘i PV Coalition will be on hand to discuss the benefits of the systems highlighted and the benefits of going solar—including sizeable tax credits available through state and federal governments. Participants will learn energy-efficiency strategies and methods, speak with property owners and experts, and learn how the technology works, what it costs, and why it makes sense—both financially and for the environment.
The Hawai‘i PV Coalition is a nonprofit organization composed of businesses and homeowners, formed to actively promote the development, implementation and education of solar electric energy across the islands. To join the coalition, or for more information on the tour: www.hawaiipvcoalition.org.
Tour hours are from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and the event is free. Register to attend the tour by calling 579-8288 or by e-mail: info@hawaiipvcoalition.org (e-mail is preferred). Provide them with your name, phone number, e-mail address, mailing address and the number of people registering for the tour in your group.